ALGIERS - Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Algiers late yesterday at the start of a three-day official visit for talks focusing on trade, officials said on Monday.

Mahathir, who is the first prime minister of Malaysia to visit Algeria since the north African country achieved independence in 1962, was greeted by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The Malaysian leader is accompanied by a large delegation of business leaders.

Algerian officials said the visit was "a sign of (Malaysia's) desire to build a partnership with Algeria."

Both countries are predominantly Muslim.

After his visit, the Malaysian leader is due to travel to the southern African nation of Swaziland, and then on to Syria. - AFP